Cary, NC: Richard, What's up with Julius Peppers' suspension?
Carolina was hot at the outset, now blowing games as in years past. They
can't move to New Orleans like the Hornets, so how long will we be longing
for the Panthers to return to consistent winning ways?

Richard Weiner: Panthers are certainly putting their fans' patience
level to the test; that was quite a tease, the fast start, Peete and Peppers
going off. Then ... back to last place. Yeesh. Sounds like they need a big-time
personnel man down there; they got the good coach. Oh, wait. They HAD the
good coach. Whatever. It's all about talent. And I can't believe anyone
down there expected my man Rodney Peete to go off like that. Peppers? Double
yeesh. Get that guy some image builders. Not clear on the move to New Orleans
question, though; if anything, the Saints would be one of the handful of
teams possibly moving to Los Angeles -- because they are in a market the
league could do without. Super Bowl notwithstanding ...Spring, Texas: Fantasy queston, if you don't mind. Bulger or
Bledsoe yds/td league. Thanks!

Richard Weiner: You're fantasizing about Bulger or Bledsoe? Hmmm.
I'm in San Francisco. Think Garrison Hearst is having those thoughts, too.
Ooops. Just kidding. You looking for their stats? Try USA TODAY.com. Want
to draft one? Go with Bledsoe, cause Bulger is headed back to the bench
...arlington virginia: Are there any owners as incompetent as Dan Snyder,
Jerry Jones and Mike Brown?

Richard Weiner: Triple ouch. Honestly, there's no way you can join
Jerry Jones with Mike Brown. Jerry won three Super Bowls within his first
10 years of ownership. Yes, he bungled the Tom Landry thing. Yes, he drove
Jimmy Johnson away. Yes, he is overbearing on a day to day basis. But he
knows football and wants to win and does treat people well. Book is still
out on Snyder; if Spurrier and Marvin Lewis stay, look for that team to
contend very soon. That's simply way too much coaching talent for anything
else to happen. They just need better players, that's all. Snyder does need
a big time GM as well. Probably shouldn't camp out in the middle of training
camp field with drinks and cigars, either. But Brown? His legacy may go
down as the greatest example of split gene pool in NFL history. I mean,
his father was a legend, especially in terms of innovation. This guy just
does not understand how to run a pro football team in the modern era, and
should do all his fans a favor and sell sell sell.Kihei,Hawaii: Is Jeff Garcia the best of a long line of great Quarterbacks
or is it the system?

Richard Weiner: Well, the true test, in terms of matching Garcia's
greatness up against his predecessors, is how much time he spends on your
gorgeous island. And where he stays. If you can get him to Harry's sushi
bar, I'll have to give it up to him and compare him. For now, he's taken
that job to another level; we all figured he'd be running the ship 'til
they found someone else, and got better. Now he's a regular at the Pro Bowl.
On that other island, sistah.Maui Meadows, Hawaii: What happens when Quarterbacks call their own
plays contradicting what the coach has sent in.

Richard Weiner: You've obviously been tasting too many mangoes out
there; quarterbacks have been changing the plays for years. I remember,
when doing a quarterbacking book with Joe Montana, he laughed at videotape
when reminded how much trouble he got into with Bill Walsh -- after throwing
a touchdown pass to Jerry Rice on a play they ad-libbed. Oh, nothing. Cut
to Al Pacino and Jamie Foxx in Any Given Sunday. We tried to show how important
it is to have them both on the same page -- yet also reveal how, in live
action, all that preparation and scientific nonsense goes out the window.
It's just football, brah.Raleigh, NC: Richard, do you forecast a "sleeper" New England-type
team coming from nowhere like last year at the end of the season and blitzing
through the playoffs to capture the SuperBowl? What potential drama do we
have to look forward to come January?

Richard Weiner: Atlanta looks like it has that feel right now; during
the preseason, the Falcons were one of the teams we pointed out as having
that Patriots feel. Chargers were one, too. The other? The Bengals. Ooops.
But it does prove that this league is so balanced that there is no way we
can sit here at the end of November and truly predict what will happen.
It's basically the team of the week. We do know this: It's really important
to win the division this year, with realignment. And, if we've learned anything,
you need to have that hot quarterback and a nasty defense -- in January.
Stay tuned ...woocridge ill: hey richard,i still think that the patriots are the
team to beat in the AFC it looks like the should be making another dangerious
run what do you think and why thanks, frank

Richard Weiner: Well, their recent road trip ended with a thud in
Oakland. For the first time in a game that I watched, Tom Brady looked like
a young player. But, you're right. That is a very very dangerous team. Reminds
me of the defending champion Ravens last year. No one, and I repeat, no
one, wanted to play them in the postseason. Who's better in the AFC? See
last response. Depends on what week it is. Look at the West as example.
Broncos pounded the Chargers. Chargers out-played the Raiders. Raiders then
pounded the Broncos. Oh, nothing ...Bill, Ocean Springs, MS: Do you think that Mcnair will fair well
this week?

Richard Weiner: Titans are definitely rolling. Five straight wins.
Eddie George back pounding inside. McNair finding Kevin Dyson. Beating old
rival Pittsburgh. Those Ravens, however, seem to have the Titans' number.
Should be a throwback game, though. Fun to watch. Unless, uh, you happen
to be carrying the ball.Stanwood Washington!: Okay, Seattle football sucks. If you were the
owner would you get rid of Holgrem as coach, GM or both?

Richard Weiner: Speaking of long suffering fans. Wow. I spent a couple
of days at the Seahawks training camp, and came away surprised and impressed
with the young talent. Especially on offense. Defense was the big question.
Then they got pounded by injuries. Offensive line. Defensive line. Quarterback.
Linebacker. So ... Mike Holmgren says he has the support of owner Paul Allen,
and I believe him. Question is president Bob Whitsitt. And how the Seahawks
finish; certainly wasn't a good sign to lose to Arizona when they rolled
out that spanking new stadium. What happens? Since Holmgren is owed $4 million
a year for three more years, I say they keep him -- he's still a great coach
-- and bring in a GM. Someone who knows the area. Someone that is respected
around the league. Someone that would give fans hope. Someone named Randy
Mueller? Problem with that would be whether Holmgren would give up power
to stay. I think he would, just tell the story a bit different. Then watch
out. They do have all that young talent, especially on offense. Course,
they could just dump the Big Kahuna, and bring in Mueller and reload. Wouldn't
be surprised with that, either.Tempe,AZ: How do you think the Arizona Cardinals will perform the
rest of season. Since every year for the past 50 years they've not gotten
to the postseason?

Richard Weiner: Much like Seattle in last question. Their finish
this season will determine a lot. Whether the team sticks with Jake Plummer.
Whether that stadium ever gets built. Whether the Cardinals make it to the
Super Bowl before Jeb Bush's grandson is in the White House ...cincinnati: Richard - which teams have the best chance of pulling
off upsets in week 12? Thank you!

Richard Weiner: Right. Like we can predict the NFL? Geez. OK. How
bout Eagles, without Donovan McNabb, pulling one off on Monday night at
San Francisco? Tim Couch lighting up New Orleans? Redskins cooling off the
Rams outside the dome?Trappe, PA: Hi, Richard - how do you think the Eagles will do without
McNabb?

Richard Weiner: afljm.adomblmepauvgmlbabple baplwembp
That was me, trying to write with my hands tied behind my back.Chicago, Illinois: What is Dennis Green doing now that he is not
coaching football and are there any teams looking to hire him for next year?

Richard Weiner: Oakland? Detroit? Seattle? Cincinnati? Start with
Atlanta, where his former agent now works. The Raiders would have to go
into the tank for a change. The Lions should be in San Diego right now,
recruiting him. Seattle may not want a name coach, but, honestly, can you
do much better? Denny has made some off field mistakes, but, as a coach,
he's as good as it gets.Cleveland, OH: Mr. Weiner was W. Greens performance last week a fluke
or does he have serious potential?

Richard Weiner: Sorry. Didn't see it or many highlights. But there
is no fluke at this level; if you can even make the NFL, you're good. In
other words, they've reached their potential. Green had his best performance,
but it was against the Bengals. Stick with him, though; there's a reason
Butch Davis made him a first-round pick. The Browns rushing game has been
woeful for years ...Charlotte, NC: Richard Are the Carolina Panther's cursed. I am
a devoted fan, but all this drama surrounding this team is KILLING ME! What
gives, and what are our possibilities of acquiring a QB of Leftwich or Simms
stature in the draft...preferrably Leftwich Ken

Richard Weiner: Triple yeesh. I addressed the Panthers on one of
the first questions during this chat. Sounds like they need more than a
young quarterback ... Simms would be a great fit. Leftwich has those questions
coming from small college (Marshall). Grossman would be a crowd pleaser.
So would Eli Manning (I'm blanking on his draft status, though ...). But
here's one: USC's Carson Palmer. Check him out. Scouts love him. So would
the Panthers.Newburgh, NY: I'm in a Last Man Standing pool, and the payoff
is rather large, and 40 are left out of 430. Who , in your opinion, is the
'Lock' of the week between the Saints/Steelers/Niners/Falcons/Giants/Raiders
?? Thanks.

Richard Weiner: So, if you're the last man standing, that makes me
... oh, nothing. Lock of the week? They serious? No such thing. OK. OK.
Hmmm. Giants at Houston. Then Raiders at Arizona. Then Falcons at Panthers.Hartford, CT: Can the Giants capitalize on McNabb's injury and
win the East?

Richard Weiner: Here's first line from today's NY Times, courtesy
of young stud Damon Hack: "The Giants have momentum (three straight victories),
the schedule (the Texans are quite beatable) and luck (the Eagles' Donovan
McNabb is out indefinitely) riding shotgun with them. That said, they have
plenty of their own health issues, including Jeremy Shockey's turf toe and
depleted receiving corps ..." My take? Eagles are a good team even without
McNabb. But not a Super Bowl team. Then again, neither are the Giants. Something
missing. And the rest of their schedule isn't a cakewalk, either. After
Houston, they go Tennessee, at Washington, Dallas, at Indy, then Philly.
Very easily could win out, or go .500. But best teams in NFC are in Green
Bay and Tampa Bay and, before McNabb's injury, Philly. This should help
the Giants get to the playoffs. But a wild-card trip to some place like
St. Louis doesn't sound much fun, either ...New Britain, CT.: Can the JETS keep winning with there difficult
schedule remaining?

Richard Weiner: Ouch. You're right. That sked looks nasty. Buffalo.
At Oakland. Denver. At Chicago. at New England. Green Bay. Get used that
.500 mark, I guess ...MI: Do you think the Lions will keep Marty at the helm? Do they Go
with defense in the ist round of the draft?

Richard Weiner: Depends on whether Matt Millen stays or goes back
to broadcasting. Could see a new regime coming in. Randy Mueller and coach
of his choice? Two coaches make a great fit there: Denny Green and Steve
Mariucci. Sucks to be Marty, though. Great guy. Bad experience.St. Petersburg, FL: Who will win the Packer/Bucs?

Richard Weiner: Fox, which telecasts this matchup of 8-2 teams, and
can isolate a camera on Brett Favre and Warren Sapp. Awesome. Favre and
his magic vs. the Bucs' nasty D. People are going to say this is a homer
call, but I go with the Bucs because of the Gruden factor. Even if his offense
does lack the players he needs.atlanta ga: Do you think the Falcons will make the playoffs and if
so how far can they go given the Vick factor?

Richard Weiner: Mike Vick for president if that team makes the Super
Bowl, which is very possible in this state of the league.Columbia, MO: Can the Rams still make it into the playoffs? How likely
is it that they will do so?

Richard Weiner: Make the playoffs? I think they're still going to
win that division!! Rams are still loaded. And have just enough chip on
their shoulder -- Super Bowl loss, 0-5 start, Martz bashing, etc. -- to
get them deep into the postseason. Right about when Warner and Faulk are
back to 100 percent. Scary.MN: Who will win TB or GB?

Richard Weiner: Scroll back two questions. Been there. Done that
...Greencastle, IN: What does it mean if a Kerry Collins interview seems
to make sense? His opinion on the ephdrine vs. recreational drug penalties
sounded like he had thought about it.

Richard Weiner: OUCH!! We were just talking about that last night.
Athletes getting asked about anything non-sports related. These guys are,
after all, football players. Not elected officials. Or doctors or anything
else. So just listen to 'em about what they do best. In Kerry's case, you
could listen to him about substance abuse recovery, though. Seems like he's
turned his life around, so you may want to lighten up.Bay City, MI: Do you think the M & M boys will turn the Lions
around?

Richard Weiner: Hey, they could get another win this week at Chicago!
Then they'd be, uh, 4-7. And even with their young stud quarterback, the
Lions are ranked 31st out of 32 teams on offense, and 28th on defense. That's
about as bad as it gets. Much as like both M's, time to start over. I mean,
think if the Ford Motor Co. put out cars that handled this poorly ...Green Bay, WI: What are your thoughts regarding Sunday's Pack-Buc's
game?

Richard Weiner: Wish it were in the West so I could cover it :-)
Serious. Go back a few questions. Answered that one. Great matchup. Whichever
team loses still could advance further in the playoffs. Favre's knee is
huge question. And, think the Bucs will, uh, try to take advantage of that?Folsom, CA: Richard, what are your thoughts concerning the after
injury performances for the rest of the year and next year for guys such
as M. Robinson (WR Chicago), J. Crowell (WR Detroit), H Moore (WR NYG).
Thank You

Richard Weiner: Problem with the NFL is that everyone expects these
guys to come right back, yet, as often is the case, these injuries take
so long that the players devote their entire offseason to rehab as opposed
to conditioning. That puts them behind an other season. Love Herman Moore
back in the NFL, though. Class act.Des Moines, Ia: Who do you think is going to win the bucs/packers
game this weekend? what do you think are the main factors and what are your
thoughts on the remainder of the Bucs season? Thanks

Richard Weiner: Bucs problem is on offensive line and at playmaker.
Too many darn quarterbacks down there, too. But, remember, this is the Gru-dawg's
first season. He'll get it figured out. Quick. Not that an 8-2 record is
shabby or anything. Look, he's a great coach, and his buddy is coaching
a great defense. Homefield advantage could be determined with this game,
and, as they said on Inside the NFL last night on HBO, most of the NFC is
rooting for the Bucs, cause they do not want to go to Green Bay for the
playoffs. Bucs have Saints, Falcons, Lions, Steelers and Bears after Pack,
so it's not like they have a cakewalk, either.Buffalo, NY: Richard, Will Kurt Warner look
to Isaac Bruce as much as Marc Bulger did, or do you see Torry Holt back
in as the Number 1 receiver in St. Louis. Bruce didn;t seem to click with
Warner like Bulger did before his injury...

Richard Weiner: Uh, well, let's see. GeorgiaDome three seasons ago.
Titans come back in Super Bowl. Warner goes back out there, and, straight
out of a gunslinger movie, throws long ... to ... Andre Bruce. Touchdown.
Rams hold on to win. Mojo? Well, Warner clearly was bothered by that thumb
at the start of the season. And, did he look rusty or what the other night
when Bulger came back? Look. If Warner is on, he's gonna hit any open receiver.
I don't care if they bring Flipper Anderson back. The Rams are back, dangerous,
and no one wants to play them, Warner or Bulger or Pat Haden at qb.